Japan’s exports grew in May and lowest surplus rate with the U.S.

Japan’s exports increased by 8.1 percent May from the same period last year due to higher shipment of automobiles, cars part and semiconductor equipment. This has been the quickest rate in four months which signals stronger global demand.

Comparatively, the figures rose by 7.8 percent in April while the median estimate grew annually by 7.5 in line with expectations of economists from Reuters poll.

Exports will probably resume its growth because of higher demand for manufacturing equipment, automobiles, and car parts but the U.S. eyes on Japan’s trade surplus to be under protectionist policies. Exports for the United States climbed higher by 5.8 percent year-on-year in May, quicker than the 4.3 percent year-on-year in May because of more volume in car parts shipments.

Meanwhile, Imports from the United States increased by 19.9 percent year-on-year as imports on aircraft and coal grew from the U.S. On the other end, Japan’s overall imports grew by 14.0 percent in the year to May than the estimated median value of 8.2 percent increase because of oil price hike.

Thus, the outcome showed a decline of 17.3 percent year-on-year to 340.7 billion yen ($3.08 billion) in trade surplus with the United States, which was the lowest surplus rate since  January 2013. There’s a deficit of 578.3 billion yen ($5.23 billion) on the trade balance compared to the median estimate of 235.0 billion yen deficit.